What sets ACCES apart from other trade events in Africa?

There are many great trade events developing the African music industry:

• Visa For Music: focusing mainly on connecting North Africa with the Arab world.
• Atlantic Music Expo (AME): a platform to connect artists across the Atlantic Ocean.
• Indian Ocean Music Market (IOMMA): a platform to connect Indian Ocean nations.
• DOADOA: a platform to connect and promote East African music.
• Sima: a platform to connect and promote West African music.

However, ACCES is arguably the only trade event with a continent-wide mission. The first edition in Dakar`, Senegal, in 2017 attracted industry players representing over two-thirds of the continent.

It's clear that ACCES' mission is to develop the professionalism of the music industry across the continent, which is a big task when you have 54 countries, countless languages and different cultures. By rotating through a different African city each year (this year it will be held in Nairobi, Kenya), the conference has the opportunity to change the focus areas of conference topics, create a dialogue with different partners on a wide range of issues and allow a regional focus for the showcase element, this year being East Africa.

With the Music In Africa Foundation rotating its curating committee each year, it ensures that the platform remains fresh and vibrant with no vested interests being pushed through.

Why you should attend ACCES?

ACCES is held over three days, offering a diverse programme, which can benefit both experienced and emerging music industry professionals. With presentations, workshops, networking sessions, panel discussions and live showcases, ACCES has already become a formidable platform in only two years.

Casting an eye at some of the players coming to Nairobi this year, you have representatives from The Orchard, Africori, IDOL, Deezer, Sheer Publishing, SACEM, Okaymusic, Sakifo Festival, Sauti za Busara, Bayimba, Afropolitan Vibes, Afrikayna and much more. This is your chance to rub shoulders with some of the key movers and shakers of the African music industry.

ACCES offers the chance to:

• Connect with the broader music industry from across the continent.
• Showcase to artist managers, booking agents, festival bookers and music distribution companies.
• Promote your work/company to local, regional and international professionals.
• Make new, sustainable partnerships.
• Learn and develop new ideas.

Jess White is the founder of Akum Agency.

More about ACCES

ACCES is a pan-African event for music industry players to exchange ideas, discover new talent and create business linkages. ACCES is held in a different African city every year, attracting active music industry players from across the globe.

ACCES is organised by the Music In Africa Foundation, a non-profit and pan-African organisation, in partnership with Siemens Stiftung, Goethe-Institut, Alliance Francaise, Kenya’s Permanent Presidential Music Commission (PPMC), MagicalKenya and the Kenya Cultural Centre.

For more information, including registration and sponsorship opportunities, visit the ACCES website or download the ACCES 2018 brochure here.